FLINT, Mich. — Flint Community Schools will enter talks with
private companies on providing transportation and maintenance services as
school trustees look for ways to reduce spending by $9.5 million and balance
the coming year’s budget, The Flint Journal reported.

Concurrently, the trustees rejected one custodial services
bid that would have saved the district an estimated $2.5 million, but that
board members said set wages too low, The Journal reported. A representative
from that firm told trustees there is room to negotiate on wages.

The district also will continue talks with union employees
who currently provide non-instructional services, according to The Journal.

District administrators have proposed a minimum of 15
percent budget cuts in each department, The Journal reported. Failure to
balance the budget could lead to a state emergency financial manager, some
board members said, according to The Journal.

“That financial manger can come in and make changes you
don't like,” said board member Fred Bashir, according to The Journal.